Itinerary
A rare insight into the plight of some of Africa's most 'at risk' species, this itinerary focuses on wildlife whose existence is threatened or endangered - with insights from a host of experts along the way.
Day 1
Fly to Nairobi
International flight times might require an overnight in Nairobi depending on your arrival time.
Days 2 - 3
Masai Mara - Lion & Cheetah
A morning departure from Nairobi to the Masai Mara, flying by private charter. Enjoy 2 nights in the Masai Mara and spend a full day in the reserve with experts from the Mara-Meru predator project, focusing on the most vulnerable of the big cats: lion and cheetah.
The lion population in Africa is inferred to have undergone a dramatic reduction of approximately 43% over the past 21 years.
The total known cheetah population is roughly 6,700 adult and adolescent animals distributed across 29 sub-populations worldwide. Of these, 1,960 adults are found in Eastern Africa.
Encounter Mara Eco-Camp, 2 nights on full board.
Days 4 - 5
Laikipia - Reticulated Giraffe & African Wild Dog
Enjoy an early morning walking safari with a professional Silver rated Kenya safari guide. Track small animals and learn how every living creature plays its part in our delicate ecosystem. After breakfast you will transfer to airstrip for a low level scenic flight over the vast Laikipia plateau to Loisaba Tented Camp in Northern Kenya. The focus here is the endangered Reticulated giraffe and the African wild dog. A resident giraffe researcher will spend time with you helping you to discover and understand this majestic animal. Wild dog sightings were plentiful up until 2017. Canine distemper wiped out 10 packs of this endangered species and therefore the opportunity to see them is not guaranteed, but even a fleeting sighting is a privilege.
Also known as the Somali giraffe, the Reticulated giraffe is a subspecies native to East Africa and the tallest of all giraffe. Less than 8,500 individuals are living in the wild.
African wild dogs have disappeared from much of their former ranges in Africa. Their population is currently estimated at approximately 6,600 adults in 39 sub populations, Africa-wide, of which only 1,400 are mature individuals.
Loisaba Tented Camp, 2 nights on full board.
Days 6 - 7
Lewa Wilderness Conservancy - Black Rhino & Grevy's Zebra
An afternoon flight to Lewa, where you will be met by your guide who will take you to the Lewa Marshlands, the roosting spot of the endangered grey crown crane. Lewa is home to over 130 individual black and white rhino and is one of the most successful conservation projects in Africa. In addition to game drives, you will visit the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy headquarters to meet with the rhino and Grevy's zebra scientists and have the opportunity to see the valiant efforts of the Northern Rangelands Trust conservation programme in action.
Listed as critically endangered, the population of black rhino has declined by an estimated 97.6% since 1960, with numbers bottoming out at 2,410 in 1995, mainly as a result of poaching for their horns. Since 1995 and concerted worldwide awareness campaigns, numbers have been steadily increasing, with numbers doubling to 4,880 by the end of 2010. Current numbers are however still 90% lower than three generations ago.
The endangered Grevy's zebra population is estimated to have declined by more than 50% over the past 18 years, with an estimated 750 mature individuals worldwide. Due to rapid declines in their population, they are now confined to the Horn of Africa, primarily Southern Ethiopia and Northern Kenya.
Lewa Safari Camp, 2 nights on full board.
Days 8 - 9
Samburu Game Reserve - African Elephant
An early morning start and a low level scenic flight with the chance to spot elephants and hippos along the banks of the Waso Nyiro river before landing in Samburu. You will be met and transferred to Elephant Watch Camp and embark on a game drive to seek out the elephants made famous by Saba Douglas Hamilton and the Save the Elephants Foundation.
Saba Douglas Hamilton and her team of experts are your hosts for your time in Samburu. Spend time tracking with a specialist elephant guide, trained to recognise each of the 66 families that are mostly resident in Samburu, and learn of the work done throughout Africa to conserve these amazing animals.
Poaching for ivory and meat has traditionally been the major cause of the African elephant's decline. Currently the most important perceived threat is the loss and fragmentation of habitat caused by ongoing human population expansion and rapid land conversion increasing the human-elephant conflict.
Elephant Watch Camp, 2 nights on full board.
Day 10
Departure
An early morning game drive and picnic breakfast before heading the airstrip for your flight to Nairobi and the return flight home.
Includes:
- International flights
- All flights within Kenya on a private plane (2-10 passengers)
- Transfers
- Accommodation as indicated
- Game activities
- Services of wildlife experts in each destination
- All park and conservation fees